Conner addresses county’s future at PATH meeting

Mathews County Administrator Mindy Conner spoke with members of PATH (People Aging in Their Homes) at Central United Methodist Church last Thursday about the future of Mathews over the next decade.

According to a PATH press release, Conner said that the potential for Mathews is astounding, with great opportunities ahead, while the biggest challenge will be to build the county’s economic base. Dependence on real estate with a declining population and wavering property values is not ideal for planning a strong future, she said.

Conner told those gathered that she met with the Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade on May 23 at the Bay School Community Arts Center, and that such communication would lead to a strengthened ability to work with the state in the future.

Twenty-seven members of PATH were in attendance, said the release, and they asked a number of questions, including how to facilitate successful aging at home. Conner recommended the new YMCA and said that easy access to exercise opportunities will help the community stay healthy as it ages. Asked about transportation, Conner said that transportation options through Bay Aging are limited, but that “we can access more support by paying more.” She said that bike paths are in the long-range plan for the county, said the release, but paying for paving isn’t a priority and an unpaved trail path is more likely.

Conner also discussed sources of revenue. She said that the county’s primary source of revenue is property taxes, but that other sources of income must be found as the call for services grows. Business will be an important source, she said, and will help stem large property tax increases in the future.